PETALING JAYA: The Asian voice must be heard and Malaysia can take the lead in fostering closer relations among regional media houses ahead of the country assuming the Asean chairmanship next year, says Fahmi Fadzil.Congratulating Asia News Network (ANN) on its 25th anniversary, the Communications Minister said the media grouping has the role as a bridge to bring forward conversations that Asian governments need to have and create close relationships between media organisations in the region.

“We hope this gives more room for stories on developments throughout Asia to be better heard, understood and enjoyed, as it’s not written by foreign media but Asian organisations themselves.

“This way, we can hear more authentic voices from Asia itself,” he told a press conference after attending the ANN anniversary celebrations here yesterday.

ANN marked its 25th anniversary at the ANN Summit 2024 co-hosted by Star Media Group and Sin Chew Daily.

Also present was ANN director and board member Datin Paduka Esther Ng, who will assume the grouping chairmanship from Jan 1 next year.

Fahmi added that Malaysia can take the lead in fostering closer relations among regional media houses ahead of the country assuming the Asean chairmanship next year.

He said a more comprehensive network of media houses in the South-East Asian region will also nurture closer ties among its countries.

“I believe some efforts are already there and this can always be further strengthened.

“Ahead of Malaysia’s chairmanship, I hope we can gather media organisations across the region to collaborate closely,” he said.

Fahmi also said Asian countries must learn and hear directly from each other for the region to prosper together.

He said that Asia’s voice cannot be left unheard or suppressed given its large population.

“We must hear from each other directly, ideally without intermediaries.

“By discovering and appreciating each other’s cultures, values and history, we can hope to prosper together,” he added.

In her welcoming remarks, Ng, who is Star Media Group’s chief content officer, said today’s media landscape is very different from when the grouping was first established.

“It has become increasingly challenging to uphold news credibility, particularly with the emergence of digitalisation and AI, which are both good and bad, but surely complicates the fact for mainstream media in maintaining their role as the reliable and trusted source of news providers.

“To my fellow delegates, I think we have done a great job in combating this effectively whilst upholding journalistic integrity,” she said.

Ng said there is no exception for the media industry at a time where digitalisation and AI took centre stage in most industries.

“I say, we embrace it. We ride the waves but we keep our eyes fixedly on the horizon and our feet firmly on the surfboard we are perched on,” she said.

A cake cutting ceremony was held later to commemorate the anniversary celebration.

In the evening, delegates headed for dinner at the Malaysian Petroleum Club to mark the conclusion of the two-day summit.

ANN is the leading regional alliance of news titles striving to bring the region closer through an active sharing of editorial content on happenings in the region.

Formed in 1999, the network’s members hail from the 10 South-East Asian countries as well as several others in East and South Asia.

Apart from Malaysia, other media outlets in the ANN are from Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/07/voice-of-asia-must-be-heard